Learning the proper horse riding stance

DanBor · Post by **DanBor** » Mar 01, 2006 08:28

Don't mention it, its o.k. It is important only that you performing it right.

DanBor · Post by **DanBor** » Mar 04, 2006 11:38

I have a question for those who are performing horse stance: where do you keep your hands while standing in the stance? I keep them in front of me or crossed over my chest.

CrazyBoy · Post by **CrazyBoy** » Mar 04, 2006 11:55

Sometimes at the hips, or sometimes I perform the roundhouse block (Mawashi Uke) to help control the breathing.

Moe · Post by **Moe** » Mar 04, 2006 12:24

I keep'em at the hips for the 1st minute but then have them in front as the hips thing makes it harder. I think its better to keep them at the hips though.

DanBor · Post by **DanBor** » Mar 04, 2006 13:17

Moe wrote:I keep'em at the hips for the 1st minute but then have them in front as the hips thing makes it harder. I think its better to keep them at the hips though.

Yes, I've also noticed if I keep them at hips,my legs tense harder (to keep torso straight) and thus can't keep as long in position as usual.
I guess I'll have to work with hips thing.
Thanks guys.

Matthew Baniewicz · Post by **Matthew Baniewicz** » Mar 04, 2006 18:28

I keep my hands at my side as in the photos on pages 61 and 63 of Stretching Scientifically. I do not use my hands to support my upper body. I pull my shoulder blades back and stick my chest up. I have found that this helps me keep my back straight with natural curves and gives me the most comfortable position to do isometric tensions. My present strength and flexibility permits me to comfortably hold somewhere in between a five-step and seven-step horse riding stance.

Moe · Post by **Moe** » Mar 14, 2006 10:35

Anyone made progress? I have added so far a total of 30 seconds to my original time. I thouhg i could stand 2 mintues but that was with hips above knees. Now i stand 2 mintues as maximum with hips below knees. Hehe slow but steady. In 2 weeks i'll have 2 minutes and 30 seconds hopefully

DanBor · Post by **DanBor** » Mar 14, 2006 11:12

I am currently able to stand in position about 1.30, but I've progressed from 3 step to 5 step (hips same hight as knees, or below ), so that's something I guess.
I'm going for 2 minutes and then again wider (but without pushing it). That's my strategy.

CrazyBoy · Post by **CrazyBoy** » Mar 14, 2006 14:17

This is how I train: if I today I stay in the horse stance 2 minute, tomorrow I shall tr to stay at least 15 sec longer. Until my legs start to wooble. I progressed very quickly.
One question though: this topic is called "Learning the proper horse riding stance", right? But I have the impression you are all talking about the isometric horse stance, the one used for developing flexibility. Am I wrong?

Moe · Post by **Moe** » Mar 14, 2006 17:36

Crazyboy when I first started the topic my intention was to know exactly how to perform the correct horse stance, the alignment, time, position etc.

CrazyBoy · Post by **CrazyBoy** » Mar 14, 2006 19:05

It's crystal clear to me that, moe. But I couldn't understand the transition from the normal horse stance (the traditional kiba-dachi) to the isometric one. I guess you wanted to cover all the aspects and benefits that the horse stance produces, right?

DanBor · Post by **DanBor** » Mar 15, 2006 03:00

When I perform horse stance and don't perform it isometrically. I just stand in position without tensing the legs. At the end (last seconds) legs are shaking and tensing and than it becomes more isometric - i think.

Moe · Post by **Moe** » Mar 15, 2006 07:55

I want to use the horse stance to be able to do the side split by tensing the legs.

Now the transition you are talking about is when you start pinching the floor between your legs as Mr. Kurz explains...hope that makes some sense.

CrazyBoy · Post by **CrazyBoy** » Mar 15, 2006 09:06

I understood perfectly Moe. As I said, it's crystal clear to me. Thanks for the enlightment.

Moe · Post by **Moe** » Apr 06, 2006 07:07

Well I just noticed something now and want someone to help.
I mentioned before that I am unable to stand in a less than 5-step horse stance without having my back severely bent.
Well today I tried doing a 4 step horse stance and held onto something to hold my back and I felt a stretch just above my ankle on the side.

Which muscle is this, the sloeus? and what can I do to make myself able to stand in a less wide horse stance, I think it is this muscle that is preventing me.

PS: I am now at 2 minutes and 30 seconds on the horse stance. Some progress